What is "affordable" housing? Housing Element and Measure J Lottery

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What does "affordable" housing mean?

In the United States, the term “affordable housing” is generally used in public policy circles to refer to a housing or living situation in which the resident pays 30% or less of their monthly gross income (before taxes) on housing and utilities. An estimated 53.7% of renters and 40.6% of mortgage owners in Santa Cruz County pay more than 30% on housing.

To learn more about how affordable housing is defined and tracked and what Santa Cruz County is doing to expand affordable housing click here.

Support Santa Cruz County's Housing Element

Public outreach for the 2023 - 2031 Santa Cruz County Housing Element is underway! Residents who want to help ensure everyone has access to healthy, safe housing are invited to participate in the upcoming public meeting on Wednesday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m. at the Watsonville Civic Plaza Fourth floor community room.
Learn more, sign up for updates and submit comments about the 2023-2031 Housing Element here.

The Housing Element is guides land use planning and development activities in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County.

State law requires that the Housing Element include a statement of the community’s goals, objectives, policies and programs to maintain, improve and develop housing, as well as an assessment of housing needs. Right now, Santa Cruz County is experiencing a housing crisis of both supply and affordability. The State’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the eight-year planning period requires that we plan for 4,634 additional housing units in the unincorporated county.

The Housing Element update also requires review of potential environmental impacts and a robust public participation process to ensure well-rounded and equitable community involvement.

Random Drawing: Two New Measure J affordable townhomes in Soquel

The County of Santa Cruz Community Development and Infrastructure Department will hold a random drawing on July 11 to select two prospective Measure J homebuyers and several backup buyers for two newly built 3-bedroom Measure J townhomes in Soquel (“The Dwellings at Soquel”).

For details, prospective applicants, realtors and lenders should review the complete buyer eligibility criteria in the current Affordable Housing Guidelines. To enter this drawing, prospective buyers must deliver a printed pre-application form, with their loan pre-qualification letter attached, to the CDI Housing Office between June 20-29, 2023. Further details, application form and delivery instructions are available online.

211 United Way of Santa Cruz County is here for you

2-1-1 connects people to the services they need. Trained specialists will match your needs to local services ⎯ including recovery resources. It’s free, confidential and available 24 hours a day in more than 150 languages. Text your zip code to 898-211 or visit 211santacruzcounty.org.

Become a Member of the Housing for Health Partnership

Housing for Health Partnership (H4HP) membership is open and free to any person or organization committed to a collaborative effort, focused on ensuring all Santa Cruz County residents have stable, safe and healthy places to live.

H4HP Membership includes:

Invitations to participate, learn and provide feedback at community meetings.
Chances to express opinions through surveys and voting opportunities.
Events to network with others working on a shared goal.
And more!

To apply click here.